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BSHS girls, boys topple Snyder to keep playoff hopes intact

Big SpringBoysThe Steers kept their chance of earning a postseason berth alive Friday with a 67-43 rout of visiting Snyder.Less than a minute into the game, Tyler Graves put up four points and Tavaris Walker registered his first two points of the outing, putting BSHS up 6-0. Looking dominant on defense, the Steers forced three straight turnovers — all of which turned into points.Snyder was unable to put together a meaningful rally, as BSHS led the Tigers from start to finish.“I think since the Greenwood game (a six-point loss for the Steers), we have played very well,” BSHS Head Coach Cliff Thompson said. “We've adjusted to playing with a new lineup and the guys have really stepped it up on the court."Walker ended up with a game-high 19 points, while Ty'Ral Menefield added 13, junior transfer Chris Sledge chipped in 11 and Graves accounted for eight in the Steers' most dominant perfromance since District 4-3A play began.Sophomore Tyler Bryan hit a three-point shot in the final minutes of regulation, helping the BSHS go on a 10-3 run to start the fourth quarter, which ended up putting the game on ice for the rejuvenated squad.The Steers had no turnovers in the first quarter, but got a little ahead of themselves in the second half. Rushed offensive play caused a few mistakes, but by that time BSHS had the game in the bag.“We are hitting our stride. We did it a little late in the season, but we have a chance to make the playoffs.”BSHS will try to go for its third straight win Tuesday as they host district leaders Abilene-Wylie at Steer Gym. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m.“If we can play the way we have played the last three games, we are capable of playing with anyone,” Thompson added.Thompson also noted that the ninth grade and junior varsity squads both won by at least 20 points Tuesday, despite having only six eligible players for each team.GirlsUndefeated Abilene-Wylie has a District 4-3A championship in the bag, barring a monumental meltdown and Greenwood's 6-1 record will likely secure them the second playoff spot. As for Big Spring, the Lady Steers are doing what they need to do to nab the third and final postseason seed.BSHS (25-18 overall) earned their fourth district win last night with a convincing, 57-45 victory over the Lady Tigers at Steer Gym.The Lady Steers fell behind early.Trailing 15-11 at the end of the first quarter, sophomore Julianna Rodriguez heated up in the second stanza, racking up 10 points. Rodriguez forced a turnover which led to two points, allowing BSHS to regain the lead.“It was a slow start,” BSHS Head Coach Mike Warren said. “But we caught fire in the second and thrid quarters. We played good defense when we needed to and it was a well-rounded game, It was a big win for us. We have to move on and try to keep that third playoff spot.”A 14-3 run put the Lady Steers ahead 25-18 at the halfway mark, then increased their lead to eight by the end of the third quarter.Rodriguez led Big Spring with a game-high 23 points — her best showing yet — and hit two 3-point baskets. Logan Yarbar put up 14 points and also sank two 3-point shots.“(Rodriguez) really hit her stride about five games ago,” Warren said of the sophomore. “She can knock down those threes, it takes the wind out of the other teams' sails when they start to come back and she hits another three.”There is still work to do, however. Sweetwater remains only a game behind, holding a 3-4 record.Next up for the Lady Steers will be a rematch against No. 18 Wylie on Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. at Steer Gym.“We're just going to go out and try to compete,” Warren added. “We want to avoid getting psyched out after they beat us pretty badly in the first game. But it will be like a playoff game. We will try to improve for the playoffs and hopefully learn to not play scared.”ForsanBoysFORSAN — The wins keep on coming for Forsan, whose latest district foe — Sundown — was dispatched Friday night in front of a home crowd, 67-51.The Buffaloes were led by Kade Fannin and Matthew Mims, each of whom chipped in 17 points, Aric Hernandez added 11, Tyler Evans had nine and Dillon Bagnall put up eight in the win, which puts Forsan at 5-1 in District 6-1A (15-8 overall).“The guys were ready to play from the opening tip,” FHS Head Coach Gary Huckabee said of his squad's performance. “We hit a few shots early and played great defense to take the lead. Sundown is a very good team, but the guys kept the pressure on until the end. It was a huge team effort.”Forsan's next test will on the road against Plains — a tough competitor who defeated the Buffs the first time around.Game time is set for Tuesday at 8 p.m.GirlsFORSAN — With a thrilling home court win over the No. 5 ranked team in the state — Smyer — on Tuesday, The Lady Buffs have a renewed sense of their potential.The momentum carried over to Friday night's meeting with Sundown, as Forsan dispatched the Lady Roughnecks, 44-31.Up by six at the end of the first half, the Lady Buffs kept at it, outscoring Sundown 23-16 in the second half to improve to 19-5 on the season and 5-2 in district. A playoff appearance is likely for FHS Head Coach Lindsey Schmidt's hardworking team.“It was a big game for us,” Schmidt explained. “We started out good, but we got into foul trouble early. The girls really stepped it up in the fourth quarter. Brittney Hergert came in and had a filled a role for us and Rachel Haggard had a great game defensively.”Defense has been Schmidt's focus all year, especially when facing ranked teams such as Smyer and Plains — who the Lady Buffs will meet again Tuesday on the road at 6:30 p.m.“Plains is a good team,” Schmidt said of Plains. “They play in-your-face defense and man coverage. They will press the whole ball game and they have some excellent shooters. But like we have done all year, we will rely on our defense. If they can go out there and step it up defensively, anything can happen.”CoahomaBoysLAMESA — The Golden Tornadoes held the ailing Bulldogs to single digits in each quarter of play Friday, taking a decisive 60-24 win.Shanen Warneke, Alex Hill and Armani Guillama had six points apiece for CHS, but Lamesa — who is undefeated in district play — proved to be more than the Bulldogs (10-14, 0-5) could handle.The Tornadoes took the early lead and held it until the final buzzer, leaving Coahoma winless in District 4-2A action.The Bulldogs will have a chance to earn their first division win Tuesday against rival Stanton on Tuesday in front of a home crowd. Game time is set for 8 p.m.GirlsLAMESA — The Lady Tornadoes only held an eight-point lead at the half, but it was too much, as Coahoma couldn't get their offense clicking enough to mount a comeback in the second half of play and fell to Lamesa, 36-18.The Bulldogettes (9-19, 2-5), were led by Julia Castilaw's seven points and Kyla Clanton's six.According to CHS Head Coach Paul Hartman, his team played well defensively throughout the game, but struggled on offense — hitting only 26 percent of their shots.“We played well on defense until late in the fourth quarter,” Hartman said. “We just couldn't get any shots to drop.”The Bulldogettes will host rival Stanton on Tuesday. Tip off is slated for 6:30 p.m.Other scores:Boys• Stanton defeated Colorado City, 52-34. Cole Schroyer 13, Scott Smith 12, K.J. Glaspie 8. Next at Coahoma, Tuesday, 8 p.m.• Grady (No. 10) defeated O'Donnell, 66-27. E.J. Rodriguez 13, Brandon Lucas 13, Brett Glaze 10, Michael Jiminez 9, Dillon Bagnall 9. Next at Wellman-Union, Tuesday, 8 p.m.• Garden City (No. 14) defeated Veribest, 59-41. Corbin Davis 15, Sam Miller 12, Juan Bustos 12. Next at Bronte, Tuesday, 8 p.m.Girls• Stanton defeated Colorado City, 40-35. Jennifer Henley 15, Bayli Barnhill 9. Next at Coahoma, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.• Grady (No. 10) defeated O'Donnell, 71-33. Cayley Oppegard 16, Ellyn Avery 14, Charmynee Arnold 7, Kristen Blocker 7. Next at Wellman-Union, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.